"Today is a tremendous day!" Birchstar yowled from the top of the Twoleg nest,"Today is the day when I welcome several new warriors!" He gazed around the group of cats, which had doubled in size over the past few moons.
Larkpaw gazed up at the leader, heavy resentment resting in her heart. Eaglepaw stood next to her, now past her shoulders in height. Ripplestreak was licking mysterious wounds behind her, Breezebeck lying next to him. "First, I must accept Breezebeck and Ripplestreak as full warriors of SoulClan." Birchstar paused for a moment as some cats cheered,"But we are all gathered for the making of two fantastic warriors. Eaglepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan at all costs?"
"I do." He meowed, lifting his head proudly.
"I name you Eaglethorn, we honor your courage and smarts." The Clan cheered for the new warrior, but Birchstar calmed them down with a flick of his tail.
"Last but not least, is our most unexpected warrior. Larkpaw has surprised us all by her skill and speed, as well as her loyalty. Whisperheart did a fantastic job training you." There was something in Birchstar's voice that almost resembled a threat,"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan at all costs?"
"I do." She meowed, hoping that she sounded enthusiastic.
He nodded approvingly,"I name you Larkfeather. SoulClan honors your speed and loyalty." The clan chanted their names again, but Birchstar quieted them down again,"With these two new warriors, SoulClan grows stronger. I must also name three new apprentices!"
"Firekit, Foxkit, Snowkit," He called the three young kits. They weren't yet 6 moons old, but that didn't matter for Birchstar.
"Do you all promise to uphold the warrior code and promise to train your hardest?" The sandy tom meowed.
"I do," They all replied at once, eyes shining brightly.
Birchstar replied,"SoulClan welcomes you all. Ripplestreak will mentor Foxpaw. Teach him your restraint and tactics."
Larkfeather glanced at Leafsky, who seemed satisfied with the choice. "Larkfeather, while you may be a fresh warrior, has proven herself enough to train Snowpaw. I hope you pass on your hunting skills and loyalty." It was obvious that she was surprised by already getting an apprentice so soon, as her eyes were wide with shock.
"Lastly, I name Whisperheart as Firepaw's mentor. I trust you will pass on your strength and stealth." The three mentors got to their paws and padded over to their apprentices, touching noses with them. It didn't surprise anyone, Whisperheart is Birchstars' only kin in the clan, being his only surviving son.
Within the couple of moons Larkfeather had received her first apprentice, Snowpaw had proven to be a successful hunter. More often than not, she would train her with Firepaw. The two apprentices got along fairly well, the competition encouraging them to work harder. It certainly didn't hurt that she was spending much of her time with Whisperheart.
Birchstar often watched her from afar through narrowed eyes, distrust and uncertainty flickering behind his eyes. The Clan was growing, rising in members quickly. How Birchstar led the "Clan" by ignoring the warrior code completely, attracted rogues. Even some of the stolen warriors even preferred SoulClan then their own.
Her dreams were frequently haunted by two eerily familiar cats whom names she couldn't quiet place. They seemed so happy, so innocent, but something that she just couldn't place was off. She'd just awoken from a horrid nightmare, where the white tabby she-cat was slaughtered by Birchstar, looming over the queen, blood matting his far as she attempted to protect her newborn kits. Ripplestreak was standing over her as Larkfeather, about to waken the exhausted warrior. Concern pooled in his eyes, but he just flicked his tail to the entrance wordlessly. She slipped out of the warriors den, easily locating Whisperheart. Ripplestreak had disappeared, likely off to find Riverstripe.
"My warriors, my cats, gather beneath me, for I have news to share!" Birchstar called from his wooden overhang.
Within several moments, the Clan had gathered beneath him. Leafsky sat at the entrance of the nursery, Eagletalon sitting next to her. Ripplestreak and Riverstripe laid close together, with Larkfeather and Whisperheart sat near the warriors den. The apprentices had been tussling by their den paused, attention turning to Birchstar.
"In four days we will launch a raid on IceClan. The following will remain in camp, Leafsky, Pebblefern, Brindlestep, Orchidwhisker," All of the named cats nodded, with Leafsky looking more relieved than the others,"Everyone else will fight. No holding back, go for the kill." His gaze rested on Larkfeather. She met his gaze, eyes bright and head lifted proudly. Birchstar, with his eyes still on the white tabby, continued,"We aim to recruit two new members, what they rank does not matter. Recruiters will be rewarded," he paused for a moment, lifting his gaze from Larkfeather as he proudly looked over his clan,"We are growing. We are strong. We will, when this raid is successful, announce ourselves as a Clan at the next Gathering." The cats of SoulClan cheered, but Birchstar quieted them with a tipping of his head,"Pebblefern and Jayfoot have had three kits, Cinderkit, Willowkit, and Stonekit. With these additions, full of life and Clanblood, we are truly a Clan!"
Birchstar dismissed the clan with a flick of his tail, disappearing into the nest. As Whisperheart began to sort out patrols, the warriors and apprentices excitedly discussed the upcoming raid. "I'm going to show Foxpaw the desired IceClan and FireClan boundaries, want to join me?" Whisperheart trotted over to Ripplestreak and Larkfeather after sorting out patrols.
"No." Ripplestreak replied flatly, padding out of camp with Foxpaw at his side Firepaw trotted next to him, full of energy.
Whisperheart let out a thin sigh,"There's no hope with that one." The two toms never had gotten along, getting into arguments more often than not.
"Come on then, it'll be me and you," Larkfeather nudged him gently. What's up with him? She wondered as Whisperheart just trudged forwards out of camp, slipping through the gap in the fence.
The only response he gave was an ear flick before exiting camp, Firepaw following closely. Larkfeather shook her head at the stubborn tom but followed him anyways. "Keep your eyes and ears open for anything suspicious." She meowed to her apprentice.
Snowpaw nodded, sticking close to Larkfeather. The young cat was always careful and alert, complete opposite of her reckless brother. The two she-cats caught up to Whisperheart, Larkfeather walking close to him.
"Is there something wrong?" She murmured quietly. It wasn't like him to be so quiet, there had to be something troubling him.
Whisperheart hesitated for a moment before replying with a brisk, "No."
Larkfeather narrowed her eyes,"I know when you're lying." Her voice was quiet, so that the conversing apprentices couldn't hear. She rested her tail over his for a heartbeat, surpriseas he flinched at her touch.
He let out a thin sigh,"He told me to choose." Whisperheart lifted his head, keeping his eyes ahead of him.
"Choose between what?" She asked gently, knowing that something relatively important was troubling him.
"He doesn't believe you are truly loyal to SoulClan," The ginger tom murmured,"If I want to stay deputy, then I have to push you away."
Larkfeather's heart skipped a beat,"There has to be a way to prove him wrong…" She didn't want to end her friendship with Whisperheart, there had to be some way for her to prove she was loyal to SoulClan. Despite Birchstar's concern being completely justified, neither him nor his son were aware of the growing rebellion right beneath their noses.
"In the upcoming raid maybe…" He trailed off into thought. Whisperheart paused for a moment, "Maybe if you kill someone worthy of attention, someone of title."
Panic overran Larkfeather, killing wasn't something she intended to do in any raids… But if it was to protect her and cover up any thoughts of disloyalty, she had to. "I'm in. Let me lead a group, and I'll kill the deputy," She practically begged. Larkfeather wasn't a killer, she wasn't even sure she would be able to go through with killing the deputy, but she had to try.
Whisperheart glanced at her, obviously surprised that she was so willing to kill to protect their relationship,"I will speak with him, but I must warn you, with IceClan being our target, he'll be keeping a close eye on you. Birchstar's intention to announce us as the fourth Clan, and he intends to send a strong message."
"Fine." Fear gripped her stomach, obviously not wanting to kill any of her former clanmates, but she had no choice.
The rest of the patrol passed relatively quickly. They showed Foxpaw and Snowpaw where FireClan and IceClan's borders were. They had almost ran into an IceClan border patrol when Foxpaw had gotten a little too excited and chased a vole across the border.
When the four cats got back to camp, the prey pile was freshly stocked. Just as Larkfeather dismissed Snowpaw, Ripplestreak called her over. The ginger and gray warrior trotted over, happy to find that there was half a rabbit left over for her. "How was your little patrol with Whisperheart?" He asked, making no effort hide the distaste he had for him.
"It was fine," Larkfeather snapped, narrowing her eyes at him. She took a hungry bite of the rabbit, enjoying the tasteful juices.
"I have to kill Talonshadow." Her voice was quiet, shrill with the pain.
Ripplestreak glanced at her, concern reflecting in his pale gaze, but didn't speak for a few minutes, eyes clouded with thought. He waited until Larkfeather had finished the rest of the rabbit before replying,"We need to keep the revolution quiet, and we need you get on Birchstar's good side. Killing an old friend is going to be hard, but you have to." He paused, shaking his head,"Although your… fondness of Whisperheart is concerning."
The white tabby she-cat flinched, looking away from Ripplestreak,"Just like your fondness of Riverstripe?" Larkfeather growled, eyes narrowed.
"She may be of EarthClan, but she's a part of the rebellion." The large tabby tom retorted,"Besides, she's not the daughter of a psychopath."
She let out a heavy sigh,"Just because Birchstar is Whisperheart's father doesn't mean anything."
"What do you think is going to happen when we lead our attack and destroy SoulClan? Whisperheart isn't going to appreciate his mate being the leader of the cats destroying his clan." Ripplestreak pointed out gently,"I'm trying to protect you from him and Birchstar."
Confusion and pain coursed through Larkfeather. She got to her paws, knowing that he was right. It was her and Ripplestreak that had decided to gain allegiance with stray cats and those within SoulClan to supply aid when they attack. It was no secret, her fondness for Whisperheart, she had grown… attached when trying to gain information. "I need to go think," she muttered to Ripplestreak, her voice cracking.
Larkfeather bounded out of camp, aware of Birchstars' accusing glare. She knew that he'd send someone after her in suspicion that she was leaving the clan permanently. Her paws barely skimmed the surface of the forest floor as she sped away, heading towards the Twolegplace. Few SoulClan cats dared to enter the Twolegplace alone during the day.
She slowed, knowing that it wouldn't be smart to run headfirst in a Twoleg packed area. Her sides heaved, exhaustion tugged at her paws. Panic flashed through her as she looked around, confused by her surroundings. She was the last cat to willingly go into the Twolegplace as it was packed with strange scents, Twolegs, monsters, and countless other dangers. Tall, stone and wood buildings were everywhere. Strange scents, foreign and unfamiliar, whirled around her. Larkfeather looked around, her eyes huge with panic.
I'm lost.
